Magwood and Alebiosu head out of Clarence Park with City boss hoping to add new faces ahead of weekend trip to Oxford City

ST ALBANS City boss David Howell hopes to have some new faces on board ahead of this Saturday’s rescheduled trip to Oxford City.

The Saints’ confidence stricken squad suffered two further body blows this week with defeats to Bashley and Broxbourne Borough in the league and county cup respectively and Howell has already begun reshaping his squad.

Rob Magwood has joined Ross Dedman at City’s Ryman Division One North neighbours Potters Bar Town on dual-registration terms while Marvin Alebiosu has been released having failed to force his way in Howell’s first team reckoning.

The City boss admitted there may be more to follow out of the Clarence Park exit door while discussions have taken place with a number of targets with a view to joining the club.

“I’ve spoken to a few people, I’ve got a few players who are looking to come in but these things take a little bit of time,” explained the City boss.

“It’ll probably be two or three in for (training on) Thursday, whether they’ll feature on Saturday or not we’ll just have to wait and see. More than likely they’ll feature next Tuesday for the cup game we’ve got.”

The Saints boss was disappointed his side didn’t use Tuesday night’s Herts Senior Cup tie with Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Broxbourne Borough as the confidence booster they needed.

Goals from Chris Doyle and Gabriel Akuwudike sealed Boro’s progress to the next round with Sakho Bakare’s late strike – his seventh goal in 17 games this term – nothing more than a consolation and Howell was unhappy his side didn’t regain some confidence to take into Saturday’s Southern Premier Division game at Oxford City.

“We should have got a lot more out of the game than we did,” admitted the City boss.

“I’m looking… to get the lads back on track and get back that confidence and belief and if today was a chance to do that then we really didn’t do that.

“I was disappointed in the two wide men – Danny Hart and Jerome Walker – they played like they had a hangover when they should have been using tonight to get some positive feeling back.

“Looking forward to the weekend I wanted the lads to get something out of tonight to take into the weekend.

“There is a slim chance that Rob (Haworth) might be back and Ryan (Moran). Ryan (Watts) will be back and I’ll bring David (Ijaha) and Matty (Cutchey) back.”

Despite being a bad night overall Howell was pleased with the contribution of youngsters Michael Lewis and Miles Scott who impressed after coming off the bench while the City boss says midfielder Nick Chrysanthou showed enough to earn more game time with the first team.

“I thought the young lad who came on, Michael Lewis, looked comfortable – that’s the first time I’ve really seen him play – and the young youth team player who came on, Miles (Scott), looked really comfortable,” said Howell.

“I thought Nick (Chrysanthou) in midfield had a good 90 minutes. He is a player who could go on and feature in more first team matches.”

A team of Spurs Legends will grace the Clarence Park pitch this Sunday to raise money for the Peace Hospice.

Former White Hart Lane favourites Mark Falco, Paul Allen, Steve Sedgley and goalkeeper Ian Walker are part of the Legends squad who are expected to play against BAM Nuttall in the match on Sunday, kickoff at 2pm.

It is hoped the match will raise �50,000 for the Peace Hospice.

St Albans City co-owner John McGowan has kindly offered the facilities at Clarence Park and sponsorship for the day will be available via john@mcgowangroup.co.uk or by calling John on 07770 680740.

Tickets cost �8 for adults and �3 for children. Tickets will be available at the gate or in advance from the Peace Hospice Radlett Shop on Watling Street.